Helmet

Abstract

A cheek pad for a helmet, the cheek pad comprising: an outer layer; an inner layer; and a sliding interface between the outer layer and the inner layer; wherein the outer layer and the inner layer are configured to slide relative to each other at the sliding interface, in response to an impact to the helmet, and the inner layer is configured to contact a side of the wearer's face, when the cheek pads are arranged in the helmet and the helmet is worn.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A cheek pad for a helmet, the cheek pad comprising:
 an outer layer; 
 an inner layer; and 
 a sliding interface between the outer layer and the inner layer; 
 wherein the outer layer and the inner layer are configured to slide relative to each other at the sliding interface, in response to an impact to the helmet, and 
 the inner layer is configured to contact a side of the wearer's face, when the cheek pads are arranged in the helmet and the helmet is worn. 
 
     
     
       2. The cheek pad of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer and the inner layer respectively comprise multiple sections; and the outer layer and the inner layer each have distinct surfaces, corresponding to each of the multiple sections, at the sliding interface. 
     
     
       3. The cheek pad of  claim 2 , wherein each section of the outer layer opposes a corresponding section of the inner layer at the sliding interface. 
     
     
       4. The cheek pad of  claim 2 , wherein at least two of the multiple sections of the outer layer and/or the inner layer have substantially different thicknesses. 
     
     
       5. The cheek pad of  claim 2 , wherein the distinct surfaces at the sliding interface of the outer layer and the inner layer are respectively concave and convex, optionally wherein the distinct surfaces at the sliding interface of the outer layer and the inner layer are substantially spherical surfaces. 
     
     
       6. The cheek pad of  claim 2 , wherein the distinct surfaces at the sliding interface of at least two of the multiple sections of the outer layer and/or the inner layer have different curvatures to each other, optionally wherein the distinct surfaces having different curvatures are substantially concentric spherical surfaces. 
     
     
       7. The cheek pad of  claim 2 , wherein the multiple sections of the outer layer and/or the inner layer are formed as a single piece. 
     
     
       8. The cheek pad of  claim 2 , wherein the multiple sections of the outer layer and/or the inner layer are formed as multiple respective pieces, optionally wherein each of the multiple respective pieces of the inner layer are configured to slide independently of each other relative to the outer layer. 
     
     
       9. The cheek pad of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate layer between the outer layer and the inner layer configured to facilitate the sliding between the outer layer and the inner layer, optionally wherein the intermediate layer comprises a layer of low friction material provided on, attached to, or integrated with, one or both of the outer layer and the inner layer. 
     
     
       10. The cheek pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer layer and the inner layers is an energy absorbing layer configured to absorb a radial energy component of an impact. 
     
     
       11. The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is a comfort padding layer configured to provide comfort to the wearer. 
     
     
       12. The cheek pad of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one connector connecting the outer layer and the inner layer, and configured to allow the outer layer and the inner layer to slide relative to each other. 
     
     
       13. A helmet comprising:
 an outer shell; 
 an inner shell, arranged within the outer shell to protect the skull of the wearer from an impact; and 
 the cheek pad of  claim 1 , arranged within the outer shell to protect the side of the face of the wearer from an impact. 
 
     
     
       14. The helmet of  claim 13 , comprising a further sliding interface between the outer shell and the inner shell, wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are configured to slide relative to each other at the further sliding interface, in response to an impact to the helmet. 
     
     
       15. The helmet of  claim 13 , comprising a further sliding interface between an outer part of the inner shell and inner part of the inner shell, wherein the outer part of the inner shell and the inner part of the inner shell are configured to slide relative to each other at the further sliding interface, in response to an impact to the helmet. 
     
     
       16. The helmet of  claim 14 , wherein surfaces of the outer and/or inner shells at the further sliding interface are substantially spherical surfaces, optionally wherein surfaces of the inner and outer layers of the cheek pad at the sliding interface are substantially spherical surfaces substantially concentric with the substantially spherical surfaces of the shells. 
     
     
       17. The helmet of  claim 16 , wherein the substantially spherical surfaces of the outer and inner layers of the cheek pad have substantially the same curvature as the substantially spherical surfaces of the outer and inner shells respectively. 
     
     
       18. The helmet of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an interface layer between the inner shell and the wearer's head and configured to provide an interface for the helmet with the wearer's head, when the helmet is worn; and 
 a further sliding interface between the inner shell and the interface layer; 
 wherein the inner shell and the interface layer are configured to slide relative to each other at the further sliding interface, in response to an impact to the helmet, 
 optionally wherein the interface layer comprises comfort padding configured to provide comfort to the wearer. 
 
     
     
       19. The helmet of  claim 13 , wherein the outer shell is a relatively hard shell compared to the inner shell. 
     
     
       20. The helmet of  claim 13 , wherein the inner shell is an energy absorbing shell configured to absorb a radial energy component of an impact.